LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The New Pilgrim Baptist Church has been holding services in South Los Angeles for decades. Services, however, were halted Sunday after a car came crashing through the church's front doors overnight.
"I heard the noise, I ran out and I walked down. Car all the way in the church," said Linda Williams, a South L.A. resident.
Police say a gray BMW was traveling northbound in the 8300 block of South Main Street when it ran off the road and smashed through the church at 1:45 a.m. The female driver and a passenger fled the scene.
Witnesses say the driver was either racing another car or was being chased when she crashed. While the damage is extensive, church leaders are just grateful no one got hurt. The room is usually filled with parishioners on Sunday.
"We are grateful that in spite of the circumstances that it didn't happen on Sunday," said Bishop Ray McKinley.
Church leaders are still assessing the damage and are still trying to sort out the church's future. The exact cost of the damage remains unknown.